Machete-wielding mob attack health workers responding to Ebola in Congo
An experienced nurse was killed and another wounded in the latest in a series of attacks fuelled by misinformation about the fast-spreading virus.
In the eastern province of Ituri, Congo, a machete-wielding mob attacked two community health workers who were raising awareness about the Ebola outbreak. The nurse, an experienced professional, was killed on the spot, while the teacher was wounded and survived. The attack occurred on Friday afternoon after the pair stopped to check on a plot of land.
Neighbors, building homes in the area, falsely accused the health workers of spreading the disease through contaminated water. Misinformation has fueled numerous attacks on health workers throughout the region, with some losing their homes to arson. The Ebola outbreak in Congo has claimed 9,964 confirmed cases and a 48.6% fatality rate since May.
Health workers are now fearful for their safety, with some choosing to shelter at general hospitals under police guard. This attack is the latest in a series of incidents aimed at undermining the Ebola response, highlighting the challenge of gaining public trust in the face of misinformation.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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